I Am Not The Only Disenchanted Torontonian

Deliver Us From Evil

Nanny Bastards

Written by Publius

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 04:48

Toronto at its finest: Well. for one thing, the city maintains a squadron of lawn inspectors who are sent out in response to complaints when someone's grass gets higher than 20 centimetres. No, seriously. Read Allison Hanes's interview with Councillor Howard Moscoe, who is responsible for the lawn brigades. A sampling: Q What if an inspector finds a property that's not up to standard? A They'll issue a work order and give you some time to do it. In the case of a lawn, they'll say, "get it done in three days." And if you don't, we'll be back. And the city will come and cut it. And it will cost you a lot more to have the city cut your lawn than if you hire a private contractor to do it. Q How much does it cost to have the city take care of your lawn? A I don't know what that bill runs, but you can be sure that we're paying union rates and so the price will be high. And then we have to go to the administrative trouble of putting it on to your tax bill and you pay for that as well. Fiorella La Guardia is suppose to have remarked that there was no Republican or Democratic way of picking up the garbage. Is there a union way to cut a lawn? No less a municipal union way of mowing? Do they get time and half and fifteen minute breaks? What if I can't afford to pay the city for mowing my lawn? Is there a welfare allowance for lawn mowing?